Nothing beats being toastier on the chairlift, cozier in the cabin and comfier on the trail. This winter’s Farmers Almanac forecast predicts cold and snowy, so get yourself and friends the gift of warmth and enjoy more happy times outside.

All the cool kids are doing it

It’s all the rage; water resistent, puffy warmth. Wear the Helly Hansen Lifa Loft Hooded Insulator Jacket under your outer-layer for frosty times and on its own for brighter days on the slopes. Remember, it’s totally sweet to show your snow-sliding love by cheering on the kids of Alpine Canada, at ski racing favourites like Nakiska, Blue Mountainor Mont Sainte Anne.

Snow sticks to get

When only the best ski will do. Rossignols Soul 7 HD, that one that does it all. An all-mountain charger, powder pleaser that even slays mixed conditions. When others head in, you get more sliding time on these all-conditions masters. Can you hear Fernie or Kicking Horse calling? Create your own snow dreams with these babies here.

Warmth next to your skin

Wipe moisture away, yup, perfect for that early morning stride – city or trail – but double the love with Icebreaker’s Oasis Deluxe Raglan series. The magic of merino wool makes a ski day’s sweet base layer. Head out into Whistler Village, cool is in when you’re warm. Don’t forget your base layer sets the tone; whether it’s heli ski days with Purcell Heli Skiing, week-long powder bliss with Great Canadian Heli Skiing, or half day post-workday groomers at Horseshoe Resort.

Camp cozy

Tackle the tough stuff with a friend. The North Face Campshire series has you covered in dreamy sherpa wool fleece, making kick back time, forest walks, craft beer time and game time all that much easier. Try a chic mountain cabin in the woods like Lush Mountain Accommodationsat Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, which has some of Canada’s finest ready for you.

Essential

Everyone wants warm fingers. Black Diamond Spark gloves, designed by mountain climbing experts, get you room for needed dexterity while lapping in the backcountry, or slaying the front-side. But most importantly, the design and material keeps your hands warm and dry. Go guided, try Boulder Hut Adventuresin Kimberley, B.C. and Assiniboine Lodge, both backcountry classics.

Snowflake strolls

Winter walks just got a whole lot easier. Leave the traction control to Scarpa Kailash Trek GTX Boots. You’re in good hands (and footwear). Cutting their teeth in the high mountains of Europe, their sturdy, supportive construction, yet uber comfortable and most importantly Gore-Tex helps keep the snowflakes out. Slopeside and trail walk ready, try rustic luxury ofSnow Creek Cabinsat Fernie Alpine Resortto get your body moving and ready for a day of powder envy.

Toasty Toes

Upgrade your socks. Let’s get real, don’t neglect your feet. Smartwool Freeski Sock feel sweet from the moment you pull them on, but most important is that they perform. These let your feet feel the carve and stay toasty all day long. Really great deal too, buy three get one pair free offer is always on – making high-performance socks a no-brainer.

Go North

Classic time is cool, but it is really awesome when it is hot too. Warm and functional, Patagonia’s Fjord Flannel Shirt is a hit in the craft coffee shop on Main Street in Rossland, B.C., as well as the urban world of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver

Give Back To Nature

Nothing shares kindness better than a TenTree Tee, as every purchase plants ten trees. Stylish, cool and uber comfortable, get you and your friends on the bandwagon of doing good for Mother Earth.

Hit The Road

Load up the Yeti Rambler with your best bean roast, hit your playlist and head out to your favourite mountain town for that much needed get-away. Don’t forget to celebrate after your trail or slope time by hosting your own après. Open up the Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler, pop open craft ones and high fives begin as you share tales from the good times outside.

About Author:

Matt Mosteller @powdermatt

One year, while his friends were busy getting jobs and settling down, a young Matt Mosteller spent 63 days living in his car so he could ski every day. Now, 20 years later, Mosteller has settled down a bit, but he’s still seeking outdoor adventure and his stories can be seen regularly in the Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun, Explore Magazine and many others. His first book, described by The Calgary Herald as “a kind of handbook for living life to the fullest,” The Adventurer’s Guide to Living a Happy Life offers 63 daily meditations to help you broaden your horizons and achieve the ‘goosebump’ moments in life (sleeping in the car is optional). Mosteller is a crusader, constantly trying to find ways to fight childhood obesity, and a hybrid of corporate marketing know-how and freelance media